I have to agree with GH on this one. Getting subscriptions for a kit to raise the cash to buy a 3D printer doesn't make any sense to me. 40 kits at 100 bucks each is just $4000. Surely financing that through a bank loan is an option. Unless the company is overextended and has credit problems that make a loan impossible. Not saying that is the case here, but the thing has a bad smell. I wouldn't put my money up front on principle.

The owners of Launch magazine were "well established" too.
I'm not taking even a 0.01% chance of not getting a product I pay for.
Even based on the website for this rocket it states they are not even ordering the printer to do the kit work until they have like 40 pre-orders. Financing through ordering ? No thanks.

Yeah I agree... too easy for "something to happen" and your pre-order ends up meaningless because "we're sorry to report due to unforeseen circumstances...."

Once bitten twice shy...

You're right; if you can't or won't do the kit work until you have a boatload of preorders, that's not something I want to support or take a risk on. A manufacturer that's not willing to put their own money up to bring the product to market says something to me, something I don't like. I'm not an investor financing 'risky ventures'; I'm a customer looking to buy a product.

Later! OL J R

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Not to jump in too much, but I do not see how this is any different, than the black Friday Sales, where you were billed before all of the kits were ready or shipped. I have purchased from Boyce Aerospace before, with no issues, and even before they started the 3d printed offerings. I have an early Boyce 4" Mercury Redstone Kit, and have purchased one of their 3d kits off of Ebay, with no problems on any transaction. Just my 2cents as each has their own opinion, and comfort point.

Speaking of pre-orders, I see Quest is taking pre-orders for its' new composite motors on their website. Customer pre-orders will be filled in April, before the motors are shipped to vendors and retailers. I have no qualms at all about sending my money for a pre-order. Quest has been in business for decades, and they are backed by a parent company that also owns Aerotech.

I have bought and had some custom work done by Boyce. The 4" Gemini capsule was first made for me. I have never had an issue with them . They are fantastic to work with. I have signed up for the Nike Hercules. Have not even receive a PayPal invoice. I am kit #25.

I am glad to see these three latest responses. I have never had the slightest problem with orders from Boyce Aerospace Hobbies, and the facts that [1] this is their first regular kit (as opposed to parts and "semi-kits" or "short kits" [as such model airplane products are known]) and [2] they are a two-person company, make the pre-ordering arrangement perfectly understandable, as this is another step upward for them.